I have learned that when you are able to connect to your own dignity, the dignity of others, and the dignity to something higher it can open new doors for you. Dr. Donna Hicks in her book Leading with Dignity calls these the 3 connections of dignity. I have done my best to honor dignity and have worked hard to connect to myself, others, and to a higher mission. There were moments that I succeeded and moments I did not but taking the dignity path has always helped me stay on course and has allowed me to have amazing experiences. Today I would like to share a story with you on how honoring dignity can open doors to amazing opportunities.
Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates is the Chief Inclusion and Equity Officer for GBH in Boston, Ma. I met her when she was the Chief Diversity Officer at Baystate Health. We worked together on a team building project just before the pandemic hit. She along with my friends in Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)where an important part of my growth as a person and a leader. She is the person who introduced me to the Dignity Model created by Dr. Donna Hicks, and she even gave me the opportunity to meet and speak with Dr. Hicks. I believe that I am where I am because of what I learned from Yemisi and the amazing group of people in CDI who accepted me as their leader when I lost all desire to lead. But this is not the reason I am writing this post. It is what happened on Saturday September 10, 2022, that helped me to understand the true meaning of honoring dignity.
When I was hired as the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Berkshire Health System Yemisi was in the first group of people I wanted to share this news with. When I was considering applying, she was one of the many who encouraged me. When I got the position, I think she was more excited than I was. The thing that happened next brought me emotions that are hard to describe. It was an invitation to Yemisi’s daughter’s 16th birthday celebration. I know the importance of family to Yemisi, so I was honored to be invited and, in that moment, she became more than a colleague, she became a friend. But I did not truly understand at that moment what this invitation meant until I attended the celebration.
Yemisi is from Nigeria and the sixteenth birthday in Nigeria is a rite of passage and a celebration of culture and faith. I got to be part of that. I was invited to a celebration with some of her closest friends and family. I learned about the Nigerian culture and their faith and belief in GOD and how they honor and respect their elders. As I sat there and joined in the celebration. I began to realize something. I was not an observer of this culture. I was a part of it. I was part of the family. What an amazing feeling.
What I want to say to Yemisi is this, thank you for inviting me into your world and allowing me to be a part of something so special. There is no greater gift you can give than sharing a part of yourself with others. Since September 10th my family has grown significantly and now spans across the world. We are family now all because you trusted me enough to share this amazing moment with me. I am forever grateful to you and your family.
Dignity has taught me how to face challenges. It has taught me how I should treat others but more importantly it has opened the door to new experiences.
Open your heart, mind, and soul to dignity and it will show you a world you have never experienced before.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 